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Weekly Event Announcements for the City of AlexandriaJuly 26 – August 1, 2008

Saturday, July 26 – African Heritage Cultural Festival
The City of Alexandria will host the African Heritage Cultural Festival from 1 - 7 p.m. at Market Square, 301 King St. This year’s theme is “Reaching Back, Moving Forward.” Admission is free and the festival will be held rain or shine. For up-to-date information, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Sunday, July 27 – West End Farmers’ Market at Ben Brenman Park
Shop at the West End Farmers’ Market beginning at 9 a.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. Summer’s bounty just gets more and more delicious. The vendors at the West End Farmers Market are now displaying a sumptuous array of tomatoes. Mounds of large multi-colored heirloom tomatoes can be found next to baskets of cherry tomatoes, yellow and red plum tomatoes, and the all time summer favorite, large juicy red tomatoes, right off the vine. The West End Farmers’ Market is open Sundays, May through October, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. For additional information, call the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.838.4343.

Sunday, July 27 – HistoricAlexandriALIVE
Alexandria's historic past comes to life between noon and 5 p.m.! See live, engaging performances at the Waterfront behind the Torpedo Factory. Puppet shows were a common and exciting entertainment in the 18th century and now today’s visitors will be entertained by KD Puppets performing classic tales--but with a modern twist! Visitors can also watch the amazing feats of Italian equilibrist Signora Bella, an 18th-century acrobat, as she juggles swords and flaming torches and walks the slack rope. At Market Square, 301 King Street, see 18th-century English country dancing, on the quarter hour beginning at 1:15 p.m. For more information, please visit oha.alexandriava.gov/oha-main/oha-historicAlexandriaLive.html.

Wednesday, July 30 – Ben Brenman Park Concert
This Ben Brenman Park concert series features Book Value, a “rockin’ rhythm & swing blues” band. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr. Concerts are cancelled in the event of inclement weather and subject to change without notice. For up-to-date information, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Thursday, July 31 - Music at Twilight Concert
The Music at Twilight Concert series features Seth Kibel and Bay Jazz Project. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Fort Ward Park, 4301 W. Braddock Rd. Concerts are cancelled in the event of inclement weather and subject to change without notice. For up-to-date information, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Thursday, July 31 – Jane Austen Dance Class
In preparation for the Jane Austen Ball on August 9, learn 18th-century English country dancing from expert dance instructors at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street. Class is from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and costs $12. Sign up for classes July 31 and August 7, too, and pay just $30 for the series of three! Reservations are recommended. Call 703.838.4242 or visit www.gadsbystavern.org for more information.

Friday, August 1 – Market Square Concert
The Market Square Concert Series features the Alexandria Citizens Band, known as the “City’s Oldest Performing Arts Organization.” The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Market Square, 301 King St. Concerts are cancelled in the event of inclement weather and subject to change without notice. For up-to-date information, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Friday, August 1 – Lantern ToursTour Gadsby’s Tavern Museum (134 N. Royal St.) by candlelight with a costumed guide and see how guests experienced the historic tavern and hotel before the advent of electricity. Tour times are 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and cost is $5 per person, ages 5 and up. The museum may be closed on some occasions; call 703.838.4242 in advance to verify tour dates.

Open through Monday, September 8 – Living Legends of Alexandria ExhibitionThe Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., is hosting Living Legends of Alexandria, which celebrates and documents individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the quality of life in Alexandria. Living Legends of Alexandria features photographs of 48 nominees by Nina Tisara with information about their contributions by Christa Watters. The Lyceum, Alexandria’s History Museum, is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.

Open through Wednesday, December 31 – Drawings by William Lydston, Jr. Exhibition
This exhibition of Civil War artwork at Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site (4301 W. Braddock Rd.) has been extended through the end of the year. Civil War drawings by soldier, artist and musician William Lydston, Jr., are featured in this exhibit with musical instruments and related objects as part of the statewide celebration of Virginia’s musical heritage. Admission to the museum is free. The exhibition is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.fortward.org or call 703.838.4848.

Coming Soon!

Saturday, August 2 – Friendship Firehouse Festival
Don’t miss the annual the Friendship Firehouse Festival in the 100 block of South Alfred Street from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Celebrate the 234th anniversary of the Friendship Fire Company, founded in 1774, and enjoy birthday cake, craft and food vendors, and a special display of antique and modern firefighting equipment. Free fire helmets and balloons for children! For more information, please visit www.friendshipfirehouse.org or call 703.751.6416.

Saturday, August 2 – Tavern Day
Come to Tavern Day, a free open house at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street. From 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., experience Alexandria’s five-star hotel of the 18th century, made famous by John Gadsby, and whose guests included George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Tours are led by costumed guides. Enjoy period music and light refreshments at this free event! For more information, please visit www.gadsbystavern.org or call 703.838.4242.

Saturday, August 2 – Irish Festival
The City of Alexandria will host the Irish Festival from 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., at Waterfront Park, 1A Prince Street. Admission is free and the festival will be held rain or shine. Entertainment features the Boyle Irish Dancers; Rocky Guttman; Pat Garvey; the Maple School of Dance; the Flying Cows of Ventry; The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums and Lieutenant Colonel Dowd Division A. O. H. Color Guard, among others. Exhibits will showcase traditional arts, crafts, jewelry, paintings, and souvenirs. Throughout the day, Irish food and beverages will be available for purchase. For up-to-date information, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.883.4686 or visit alexandriava.gov/recreation.

Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3 – Railroad Days
All aboard! The Potomac Division of the National Model Railroad Association returns to The Lyceum, 201 South Washington Street, with working HO gauge trains and a state-of-the-art digital command system. New this year is a hands-on Thomas the Tank Engine area for toddlers. Railroad Days also features Whistle Stop Hobbies, who will discuss the fun of miniature trains and Operation Lifesaver, a national railroad safety program headquartered in Alexandria. The Lyceum is open Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please visit www.alexandriahistory.org or call 703.838.4994.